The Scrum Alliance is always striving to improve its products and processes. We have recently refactored our certification process to make requirements, prerequisites, and renewal processes more clear and concise.
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
| Prerequisites |
Students are expected to attend the CSM class with a working knowledge of Scrum. This knowledge can be obtained by reading books, articles, and web info about Scrum. |
| Intended For |
Individuals who will work on a Scrum Development team. Strong focus on the role of the ScrumMaster. |
| Certification Process |
Attend, participate in, and complete a CSM class. |
| Certification Duration |
For life |
| Renewal Process |
Not applicable |
| Cost |
Cost of attending CSM class. $50/year Scrum Alliance membership fee after the first year. |
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
| Prerequisites |
Same as CSM |
| Intended For |
Individuals who will fulfill the Product Owner role on a Scrum project. Examples include: sponsors, stakeholders, business analysts, etc. |
| Certification Process |
Attend, participate in, and complete a CSPO class. |
| Certification Duration |
For life |
| Renewal Process |
Not applicable |
| Cost |
Cost of attending CSPO class. $50/year Scrum Alliance membership fee after the first year. |
Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP)
| Prerequisites |
Must be an active Scrum Alliance CSM or CSPO and demonstrate at least one year practicing Scrum. |
| Intended For |
Any individual participating on a Scrum project including: ScrumMasters, Product Owners, Analysts, Developers, Testers, etc. |
| Certification Process |
- Submit CSP application package illustrating hands-on Scrum experience.
- Application package is reviewed by CSP approval committee.
|
| Certification Duration |
Two years |
| Renewal Process |
Must submit an application that is then approved by CSP committee. |
| Cost |
$100/year (includes $50/year Scrum Alliance membership fee). |
Certified Scrum Coach (CSC)
| Prerequisites |
Must be a CSP or CST. Must be a CSP for at least one year before applying to be a CSC. |
| Intended For |
Individuals who have a history of success working with Scrum teams and are applying “coaching” skills with one or more current teams and/or organizations. Must also be an active contributor in the Scrum community. |
| Certification Process |
- Submit an application package that contains: two or more letters of reference, answers to a written exam, a case study that describes a significant coaching engagement.
- Application package is reviewed by CSC approval committee.
|
| Certification Duration |
Three years |
| Renewal Process |
Must obtain 60 PDUs over three-year certification period. PDUs may be earned for: Scrum coaching, professional activities, self-directed learning, professional education, and Scrum community involvement. |
| Cost |
$100 non-refundable application fee. $650 upon acceptance of initial application and $750/year for second and subsequent years (includes $50/year Scrum Alliance membership fee). |
Certified Scrum Trainer (CST)
| Prerequisites |
Must be a CSP for at least one year before applying. Must also be an active contributor in the Scrum community. Strongly recommend that applicants co-train with an active CST before applying. |
| Intended For |
Individuals who have guide-level knowledge and the skills to perform classroom training on Scrum-related concepts. |
| Certification Process |
- Submit an application package that contains: Scrum “resume”, detailed description of training experience, examples of training materials, references from co-trainers, and references from students who were trained.
- Application package is reviewed by CST qualification committee.
- Qualified candidates are recommended by qualification committee to the Scrum Alliance Board for final selection.
|
| Certification Duration |
Two years |
| Renewal Process |
Must obtain 40 PDUs over the two-year certification period. PDUs may be earned for: Scrum coaching, professional activities, self-directed learning, professional education, and Scrum community involvement (the same PDU units may count for both CSC and CST). Must train at least 25 CSMs or CSPOs every year. |
| Cost |
$100 non-refundable application fee. $7,400 upon acceptance of application and $7,500/year for second and subsequent years (includes $50/year Scrum Alliance membership fee). |
